12 Reasons to Chuck Commercial Deodorants / Antiperspirants

Last year I was on a quest to find a natural deodorant; it was a very challenging task. If you’ve been reading my blog you’ll have gathered I’m a huge fan of anything natural. Whenever I can help it, I limit my use of chemicals to the minimum. Not an easy task in our world.

There are so many studies, debates and counter debates about whether or not aluminum and parabens found in most commercial antiperspirants/deodorants really do cause breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other ailments. According to the FDA both are “safe”. [1] [3] [6]

However, FDA regulation does not mean that a drug is without danger. That’s right; antiperspirants are classified as over the counter (OTC) drugs in the US! [1][5] Nobody thinks of it as a drug but it is. In Canada, as of Spring 2009, “regular” antiperspirants are classified under cosmetics.

There are many products, or their ingredients, which are controversial because of possible negative health effects but these products are not taken off the shelf, until proven unsafe.[1] [3]

Often, the FDA and Health Canada do not consider the evidence of danger to consumer’s health strong enough to take action. (Remember the Johnson+Johnson scandal?)

It took me 10 months to find a natural deodorant that works. I tried baking soda and Druide natural deodorant, neither was successful. To add salt to injury, during this period, I had many embarrassing moments.

A tale for another day…

However, every cloud has a silver lining. Lately, I’ve been getting ready to send my brother [who lives in Hungary] a parcel of all natural products. Once again, I found myself standing in the aisle of Grassroots looking for natural deodorants. After much consideration, I finally decided on Lafes deodorant stick. I’m currently using it and cannot believe the effectiveness! I’ve been using it since Christmas.

Lafes Deodorant stick is made up of natural mineral salts. It contains no aluminum chlorhydrate, parabens or fragrance. Additionally, 1% of all profits go towards breast cancer awareness and prevention.

Once a day [every morning] I wet the stone and apply it liberally to my underarms, there is NO smell throughout the day. Lafes also has a roll-on deodorant, but I find the mineral salt stick works better for me.

12 Reasons to Chuck Commercial Deodorants/Antiperspirants

Aluminum was first recognized as a human neurotoxin in 1886, before being used as an antiperspirant. A neurotoxin is a substance that causes damage to nerves or nerve tissue.[1]

Most of us don’t know the difference between deodorants/antiperspirants – we make our selection based on smell. Antiperspirants try to prevent sweating through aluminum –most antiperspirants have deodorants![5]

Although there is a relatively small amount of aluminum in any application. Nevertheless, the amount of exposure cumulative over time, and daily, use can lead to chronic exposure to aluminum. There are established links… [1][7]

Studies have found Aluminum absorbs better through the skin than orally [1]

Limiting your aluminum usage will only benefit your health [1]

Deodorants deal with smell by neutralizing and killing bacteria, however, in the past decade, parabens, a preservative ingredient in deodorants have become very controversial. [1][5][7]

Several recent respected studies have shown the relationship between antiperspirants/deodorants and breast cancer – yet all government and breast cancer organizations will tell you antiperspirants are safe. [1][3][6]

Only 5 – 10% of breast cancer is genetic, 90% are from the environment and lifestyle. [1]

Applying parabens to the skin is one of the most effective ways to get it into your system. [1]

Do not assume that products that are labeled “natural” or “organic” do not contain parabens, [also study small or fine print]. [1]

Unfortunately most cosmetics we use contain parabens. A 1995 survey of 215 cosmetic products found that parabens were used in 99% of leave-on products and in 77% of rinse-off cosmetics.[1]

How to spot parabens on labels [1]

Methylparaben (E218)

Ethylparaben (E214)

Propylparaben (E216)

Butylparaben

Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid

Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid

Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid

Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid

Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid

Parahydroxybenzoic acid

Parahydroxybenzoate

Did you know?

The average person has about 2.6 million sweat glands’; sweating is your body’s mechanisms to cool down. [1]Sweat glands are in our forehead, hands, feet, armpits, and genital areas. [1]Sweat has no odour; bacteria cause the familiar unpleasant odour we know [4].

In conclusion, there is nothing wrong with being an active and concerned consumer. Knowledge is power and education influences change. Vote with your wallets! By researching we will not only make better & healthier choices, but also hold cooperation’s accountable for their actions.

I am still in shock at how effective the effectiveness of the lafe stick. It is amazing! I had tried baking soda and shea butter, rubbing alcohol, the works! Nothing helped. I would get a terrible rash! Thanks a lot Shakara Natural.

I have been tried chucking my conventional deodorants as well. I finally found an all natural one that WORKED and smelled good. It contains Kaolin clay, Shea butter, Baking soda, Arrowroot powder, Coconut oil and other goodies. Unfortunately, it turned my underarms dark. I am sooo disappointed. I still sneak it a use at night, but I really don’t want dark underarms long term. lol Back to the drawing board. I may have to look up Lafe. Thanks sis :0

Wow love the ingredients though, too bad it darkens the underarms, you should provide them feedback. I have had success with Lafes the most, there was a lot of trial and error, but can safely say lafes is here to stay! lol Thanks sis! <3

I’ve been on and off with using a commercial antiperspirant. I just re-committed to finding a natural one that works and bought the Crystal deodorant stick, which is also mineral salts. So far I’m getting great results!

i have also made the switch to a natural deo stick i think it was October last year. i had tried one by forever living products but i didn’t feel it was effective so i went back to my trusted mitchum. as i have been maintaining a natural lifestyle i thought to look again and i found the crystal deo stick from a lady @ an exhibition in Lagos Nigeria and i am quite happy. have some really sweaty days but i wont trade it for the world. i also use it under my boobs and no more funky bra smell @ the end of a long day :D. WELLDONE Yemi.

Thanks so much for your feedback and kind words! I have had mine for over 1 year and it’s still [surprisingly] effective…I too have some really sweaty days but I’m amazed at the staying power of the salt crystal deodorant stick. A great product and it costs less than $10.00…definitely money well spent!

A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment.
I think that you need to write more about this subject, it might not be a taboo
matter but usually folks don’t discuss these subjects.
To the next! Many thanks!!